Spathiphyllum plant named Prestige

ABSTRACT

A spathiphyllum plant named Prestige characterized by its dark, shiny and relatively short leaves, short and spreading growth habit, and its sunken veins that are less prominent than the veins of the parent cultivar Lynise.

The new cultivar comprises a spathiphyllum sport or mutation discoveredby the inventors Donald Simpson and Robert D. Hartman, and is referredto by the cultivar name Prestige. The mutation was discovered growingamong plants of the parent cultivar Lynise in Apopka, Fla., and wasrecognizable by its much shinier leaves than the parent cultivar Lynise.It possesses several other differences as will be described below.1

Asexual propagation of Prestige by division at our production facilitiesin Palmdale, Fla., was thereafter carried out to increase the number ofplants for evaluation and to demonstrate the stability of thecombination of characteristics of Prestige from generation togeneration. Propagation can also be by way of tissue culture.

The following observations, measurement and values describe plants ofPrestige grown in Apopka, Fla. under greenhouse conditions which closelapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicsof the new cultivar which in combination distinguish Prestige from otherspathiphyllum cultivars of the same general type, and particularly fromLynise, to which reference is made.

1. Prestige has darker leaves that are less round, shinier, and shorterthan the leaves of Lynise.

2. Prestige has less prominent veins that Lynise.

3. Prestige suckers more than Lynise.

4. Prestige is shorter and spreads more than Lynise.

5. The white spathes are carried by wiry pedicels above the leaves.

6. Except for those differing characteristics, the traits of Prestigeare generally similar to the traits of the parent cultivar Lynise.

All color references are measured against The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart. Colors are as closely approximate as possible. Itwill be understood that color depends to some extent on horticulturalpractices such as light level, temperature and fertilization rate, amongothers.

The accompanying color photograph comprises a front perspective view oftypical plants of Prestige, with three plants in a 10" pot beingillustrated. The colors are as close as reasonably possible withillustrations of this type.

Origin: Sport or mutation of Lynise.

Classification: Spathiphyllum hybrid cv Prestige.

Propagation: Asexual propagation either by tissue culture or division.

Plant: In a 10" pot, a plant of Prestige produced by division reaches amature size of approximately 50 cm. to 70 cm. in height andapproximately 75 cm. to 90 cm. in width after approximately 45 weeksunder normal and appropriate growing conditions.

Leaves:

Form.--The leaf blade is ovate having an aristate, acuminate tip and amore acute base than Lynise. The margins are entire and less wavy thanLynise along the edge. The midrib tends to curve down toward the tip.The leaf blade is medium in thickness and tends to be straight over thewidth of the leaf. The leaf surface is shiny with a ribbed (though lessso than Lynise) appearance.

Size.--Leaf blades of a mature size plant are approximately 33 cm. to 40cm. in length and approximately 12 cm. to 16 cm. in width.

Petiole.--The petiole is approximately 40 cm. to 50 cm. in length fromthe base of the petiole to the base of the leaf blade on the primaryshoot. Secondary shoots may be somewhat smaller depending on the age ofthe shoot. The petiole is approximately 4 mm. to 6 mm. in diameter justbelow the geniculum. The petiole curves at the geniculum.

Petiole wings.--Petiole wings are approximately 25 cm. to 35 cm. inlength and approximately 6 mm. to 10 mm. in width at its midpoint. Thetip of the petiole wings is aristate. There is approximately 10 cm. to15 cm. between the top of the wing and the base of the leaf.

Geniculum.--The geniculum is approximately 42 mm. to 47 mm. in lengthand approximately 6 mm. to 10 mm. in diameter. The color is more yellowthan 137C. The geniculum is curved and prominent. There is no spacebetween the top of the geniculum and the base of the leaf blade.

Veins.--Veins are sunken, though less so than Lynise, with the leafblade slightly rounded (more so than Lynise) between veins on the uppersurface. Veins protrude, though less so than Lynise, on the lowersurface side. There are approximately 20 to 24 primary veins on theleaf.

Color.--Mature leaf: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface: Greyer than137C, greener than 191A. Upper surface of midrib: 137A. Lower surface ofmidrib: Lighter than 144C. Petiole: 137A, B. Petiole wing: 137A, B.

Inflorescence:

Immature.--The spathe is tightly rolled around the spadix and extrudesfrom the petiole sheath. The spathe is fully open approximately when thepedicel is fully elongated--approximately 60 cm. to 80 cm. above thesoil surface.

Spathe.--Color: Fully open: Front: 155D. Back: 155D. Faded: Front: 138B.Back: 138B. Arrangement: The spathe stands up on straight wiry pedicelsand opens vertically above the leaves. Shape: The spathe is oval with anaristate apice that is straight. The base of obtuse. The spathe isslightly cupped when first open and is approximately 20 cm. to 28 cm. inheight and approximately 9 cm. to 12 cm. in width. It is approximately 1cm. to 2 cm. in depth. Flowering time: After approximately 40 to 50weeks for an untreated plant depending on season, approximately 1 to 3blossoms will be present. Smaller blossoms may occur on less maturegrowth.

Reproductive organs:

Spadix.--Size: Approximately 7 cm. to 10 cm. in height and approximately18 cm. to 25 mm. in width. Color: When the spathe unrolls, the spadix is158C gradually changing to 147A before senescing.

Stamens.--Anthers and filaments are not clearly visible.

Pollen.--White in color.

Pistil.--158C in color, protruding between the staminate flowers, firmlyfixed to the main axil. The pistilate flowers extend approximately 2 mm.to 4 mm. beyond the staminate flowers.

Roots: White fleshy roots with fine laterals.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of spathiphyllum plant namedPrestige, as illustrated and described.